Parish History

Saint Joseph Parish began as a mission in Mendham, New Jersey. Our chapel is the oldest building in the diocese, begun in 1853 by Father McQuaid of Madison. Later, the Mission was attended from Seton Hall College, and then from Morristown until 1874, when Bishop Corrigan advanced it to parish status. For several years the parish also served the church in Basking Ridge, Somerset County. Our parish has been well served over the years by many good pastors from Father Dagnault and Father Lawrence Callaghan to Father Lasch, under whose direction our main church was built – all bringing their unique charisma and vision to our parish.

The original church which is still standing, constructed as “Carpenter Gothic,” was built for a parish of fifty families. It is the oldest church in the Diocese of Paterson. It now serves as the chapel for the new church dedicated on June 3, 1989.